Epoxy Resin
Epoxy resin is a thermosetting liquid polymer characterised by being highly adhesive and resistant, both chemically and thermally. When mixed with the hardener, and once cured, it becomes insoluble and infusible. Epoxy resins are the most commonly used resins in the composites production. They are easy to handle and can be pigmented and even polished once the final cure has taken place. In addition, unlike other types of resins, they allow us to obtain products with a high degree of transparency. For all these reasons, the range of applications and the diversity of this type of resins in industrial processes have multiplied in the last years. AITANA CHEMICALS guarantees its clients the supply of epoxy resins adapted to their industry and application.
If you use epoxy resins in your production processes, here are the keys to selecting the most suitable ones for your industry and application.
Epoxy resin applications
Thanks to the excellent properties of this kind of resins and its easy handling, the number of technological processes and industrial sectors that use epoxy resins at this moment is very large. Among all of them, we can highlight:
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- Laminating. Composite materials combining fiberglass and epoxy resin guarantee outstanding resistance. This type of laminated parts are used in a large number of economic sectors. Among others: wind power blades manufacture, automotive, aeronautics, mould making, shipbuilding, sports, etc. Although epoxy resin is not excessively resistant to UV, coatings of different types are usually applied to protect it from them.
- Adhesives. Its excellent bond strength to almost all types of surfaces provides it with unbeatable characteristics as an adhesive. Its high tensile strength makes it the strongest adhesive on the market. For this reason, it is used in a large number of applications: aeronautics, automotive, sports, construction, etc…
- Electrical systems and electronics. Epoxy resin does not conduct electricity, which makes it an ideal product for encapsulating electrical or electronic circuits. It prevents short circuits and protects against corrosive agents. Its insulating properties also allow protecting electronic circuits and electrical wiring from dust and humidity.
- Manufacture of furniture, decorative pieces and jewellery. Its use ranges from the encapsulation of plants, flowers or decorative elements in costume jewellery, to the kitchen countertops and furniture making.
- Food industry. Used to coat the inside of metal cans in order to prevent them from rusting, especially in the case of acidic foods such as tomatoes.
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Benefits of using epoxy resin
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- Excellent mechanical properties
- Good chemical resistance to dilute acids and bases. Withstands prolonged exposure to corrosive chemical agents.
- Easy to handle and pigment
- Allows excellent finishes. It is able to perfectly copy all the details of the mould
- Excellent gluing to almost any type of surface very quickly. Once applied, it is almost impossible to remove it.
- Epoxy resin can be polished after final curing. It offers a high gloss and level of transparency.
- Resistant to high temperatures
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AITANA CHEMICALS - distribution of chemicals for specific processes
Our high technical profile and the experience acquired in important projects, allows us to offer the necessary technical support to all our clients to choose the most suitable raw materials for their processes. Depending on the specific needs and characteristics of the production process and the final product designed, we offer our clients the adequate raw materials, both to develop new technologies and to implement more complex products. One of our most valued developments is the development of semi-permanent water-based mould release solutions for the composite industry.
Conclusion
Epoxy resins allow us to produce extremely durable and resistant products, both mechanically, as well as resistant to high temperatures and chemical agents. As an adhesive, it guarantees extraordinary tensile strength on almost all types of surfaces. For this reason, its use has spread to a multitude of applications and economic sectors.
Building on our close collaboration with our strategic partners over recent years, we now have a wide range of epoxy resins that cover the majority of production applications. AITANA CHEMICALS offers its clients personalised technical advice in order to customise our resins, both to the characteristics of your product and to those of your production process. If you have any specific need in this field, please do not hesitate to contact us.